Time-operated circuit closer



June 7,1192? G F RAUCH 1,631,644

TIME OPERATED CIRCUIT CLOSER Filed May 19. 1925 3 Sheets-5heet l 1,631,644 June 7, 1927. G. F. RAUCH TIME OPERATED CIRCUIT CLOSER Filed May 19. 1925 s Sheets-Sheet 2 June 7,

G. F. RAucH TIME OPERATED CIRCUIT CLOSER Filed May 19. 1925 s Sheets-Sheet 3 'uwnlcr 6 I Pazch,

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/////////////////fl /f///// and may Patented June 7, 1927.

PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE IE. BAUCH, PUKWANA, SOUTH DAKOTA.

TIME-OYERATED CIRCUIT CLOSER.

Application filed May 19, 1925. Serial No. 31,327.

This invention relates to circuit closers and particularly to a time operated circuit closing mechanism for controlling a plurality of associated or independent electric circuits and for'closing said circuit at predetermined time intervals.

An object of the invention resides in providing a time operated circuit closer, including a cylinder suitably mounted for rotative movement, adjacent a plurality of circuit closing members or mechanism, so that predetermined portions of the cylinders are adapted for controlling the operation of said mechanism, in effecting the closing and opening of the circuit controlled thereby.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a mounting for the circuit closing mechanism and the controlling means therefor, Whereina pair of plate members arranged in spaced parallel relation are connected by a bar member, positioned in spaced parallel relation to the periphery of a cylinder formed in a predetermined manner for controlling the operation of the circuit closing mechanism carried by the bar member, while a clock mechanism is mounted on one of the plate members and carries a bearing for one end of the cylinder, so that driving mechanism can be suitably mounted on the clock mechanism and shaft for the cylinder and maintained in constant driving connec tion. r

The invention further includes a circuit closing mechanism having a pair of elements mounted in spaced relation in a bar member and formed with laterally extending ends, one of said ends pivotally supporting a spe cial contact member having a foot for normally engaging the periphery of an operat ing cylinder, while the other end is formed for cooperation with the lateral end of the other rod member for circuit closing cooperation therewith.

The invention comprehends other objects and improvements in the details of construction and arrangement of the parts as are more particularly pointed out in the following detailed description and in the claims directed to a preferredform of the invention, it being understood, however, that various changes in thesize, shape, and arrange ment of. these parts may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as set forth herein.

In the drawing, forming a part of this application Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through the device, showing portions in elevation.

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional View, taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail transverse section through a portion of the cylinder and bar member showing the detailed construction of one of the circuit closing mechanisms.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the movable circuit closing arm or switch member.

Figure 5 is a detail perspective view of one of the rod members mounted in the bar member adapted to pivotally mount the switch member.

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view, longitudinally of the cylinder and shaft sup porting the same showing parts in elevation and illustrating particularly an additional control element for one of the switch mechanisms.

Figure 7 is a plan view of the construction shown in Figure 6 with the top removed and portions shown in section.

Figure 8 is a vertical transverse sectional view, further illustrating the construction shown in Figure 6.

A cabinet is indicated generally at 1, which includes a base 2, a front wall 3, a back wall 4, and a top 5, suitably assembled together. A partition wall or plate mem her 6 is mounted within the cabinet 1 in spaced parallel relation between the front and back walls 8 and 4.- respectively, as clear- 1y illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings. At the upper end portions and slightly below the top 5 of the cabinet, the partition 6 and the rear wall or plate member tare connected by a bar member 7 for the purpose of supporting circuit closing mecha nism of a character to be hereinafter described. Partitions 6 or plate member mounts a clock mechanism of any desired form or character well known in the art, which is indicated by the numeral 8, by means of a pair of brackets 9. The concentric shaft for the minute and hour hands of the clock mechanism8 are indicated at 10 and 11 respectively, and carry at their outer ends the hands 12 for cooperation with 'ihe usual dial 13 mounted within the opening formed in the front wall of the cabinet, and covered by the'glass plate 1'4.

A roller bearing 15 is mounted on the :AOClC mechanism 8 at 16 and rotatably imity to the bar member 7, as illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings. A spur gear 21 is mounted on the end portion of the shaft 17, adjacent the bearing 15 and interm'esh-es with a gear 22, mounted on the outer shaft 11 of the clutch mechanism 8. A plurality of circuit closing mechanisms are mounted transversely of the bar member 1, in spaced parallel relation, as illustrated in Figures land 2, one of such mechanisms being shown in detail in Figure 3., Each circuit closing mechanism includes a pair of insulating sleeves 23, which are mounted in the bar members 7 and which carry rod members 24 and 25 respectively therein. The ends 01 these rods 24 and 25 project beyond the ends'of the sleeves 23 and are threaded at the upper end, as at 26,, while their lower ends are provided with lateral projectingportions 27 and 28 respectively, on the respective rods 24 and 25. The rod 24 forms a stationary contact member, while the rod 25 forms a support for the movable contact member of the circuit closing mechanism, and for this purpose carries a shoulder portion 29 while the end of the lateral extension 28 isthr'eaded, as indicated at 30, for receiving a nut 31, adapted to pivotally retain the switch member 32 thereon. The switch member 32 is provided with a lateral projection 23, adapted to engage and ride on the surface oi the cylinders 20. One end of the switch member 32 is provided with notched portion 34, adapted to fit the laterally extending ends 27 of the stationary contact rod 24. The opposite end of the switch member 32 is provided with an extension 35, on which rides a curved leaf spring 36, which is anchored at one end, as at 37 on the bar member 7. The spring normallyoperates to move the switch member 22 to engage the stationary contact for the purpose of closing the circuit connected with the rods 24 and 25. The cylinder operates the switch member through engagement with the laterally extending arm 33, for retaining the switch member in disengaged relation with the stationary contact and holding the circuit open. However, when it is desired to close the circuit controlled by the cylinder, the" cylinder is provided at the desired point in the zone of rotation of a particular contact mechanism with recesses. 38, which will permit the op eration of the switch member by the spring 36, to circuit closing position, in the manner as clearly illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawing. The zones of the cylinder 26 controlling the operation of each independent circuit closin mechanism may be formed in any desire predetermined manner, for controlling and permitting the operation of the-mechanism to close the circuit controlled thereby at predetermined time intervals as may bedesired. It is to be understood that while the cylinder is shown with recessed portions, any other desired construction of the cylinder may be used for producing the same controlling action of the Contact mechanism within the scope of this invention.

In Figures 6, 7, and 8, a constructionis illustrated, which is similar in all respects to that shown in Figures 1 to 5, with the additional feature of a contact mechanism controlled by the cylinder 20, which is provided on the switch arnr32' with a lateral! projecting pin 40, which extends beyond the rear end 0 the cylinder, as shown in Figures 6 and 7 for cooperation with the arcu! ate flange 41 on the gear. wheels 42 rotatably mounted on the stub shaft 43 and driven by the small pinion 44 on the shaft mounting the cylinder 20, the'pinion 44 and the gear 42 are such as to provide a special timed relation between the rotation thereof, so that in the operation of the clock mechanism, the

cylinder 20 will rotate seven revolutions to one of the gear .42. In'this wi y, the flange 41 will ride over top of the pin 40 and the switch lever 32' every seventh day, and prevent the operation of the switch arm 32' to close the circuit controlled thereby when the recess in the cylinder passes under the lateral linger projecting from the switch arm. This construction is adapted for use in sounding alarms or similar signals for week days and where it is desired not to have this signal or alarm to be sounded on Sundays.

A construction of this character is particularly adapted for use in factories, cities, towns or the like, where gongs, bells, whistles, machines or other apparatus is desired to be operated at predetermined time intervals for the automatic controlof the operalion of these several elements.

What is claimed is:

1. A circuit closing mechanism, comprising, a supporting structure, a bar member mounted on said supporting structurasa plurality of circuit closing 7 mechanisms mounted in spaced relation on said bar member, each of said mechanisms including a pair of insulating sleeves mounted in "spaced relation in the bar member, rods mounted in said insulating sleeves, said rods having lateral projections from corresponding ends thereof, a switch' member pivotally mounted on the lateral extension of one of said rods and formed for engagement With the lateral extension of the other rod, said switch member having a lateral extension therefrom, and resilient means mounted on the bar member normally engaging the switch member to operate said switch memher to engage the lateral extension of the bar member.

2. A circuit closer, comprising a bar member, a pair o1 rods mounted in the bar member in spaced parallel relation and insnlated from each other, each of said rods having lateral extensions on corresponding ends, a switch member pivotally mounted on the lateral extension of one rod and formed for engagement with the lateral exten sion on the other rod, and resilient means for normally operating said switch member in one direction.

In testimony whereof GEORGE F. RAUCH.

I afiix my signature. 

